Shock absorbing mechanism



July 11, 1939- G. A. JOHNSON Erm. 2,165,383

snocx AsoRBING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 21, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 11, 1939. A, JOHNSCN ET AL 2,165,383

'SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM Int/enfans george f4. lazfzon/ July, 11, 1939- G. A. JOHNSON' Elf Al. 2,165,383

SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM I Filed Feb. 2l, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 l Lzvef-zzons 'eafye Joh/150m Edu/ardHZe/zmm Paiemed July 11, 1939 l 25,165,383 i UNITED ,g STATES PATENT OFFICE- SHOCK ABSORBING MECIIANISM George A. Johnson and Edward H. Lehman, Chicago, Ill., assignors to W. H.- Miner, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application February 21, 1938, Serial No. 191,697

15Claims. (Cl. 213-53) This invention relates to improvements inshock vide a cushioning unit as set forth in the preabsorbing mechanisms. j ceding paragraph, wherein the rubber pad there- One object of the invention is to provide a of has spaced elevated projecting portions on the shock absorbing mechanism especially adapted pressure receiving surfaces thereof, whereby the for railway cars, comprising cushioning means of body acts as a yielding backing for the elevated 5 resilient material including a plurality of units in portions' and the material of said elevated porthe form of rubber mats or pads having metal intions, when subjected to compression,`is displaceserts Whereinthe units are compressible between able into the body portion of the mat and the remetal spacing members, the rubber mats or pads sultant thickening of the body of the mat and m being so designed and arranged in such a maniiattening of the projections, due to flow of the l ner with respect to the inserts and spacing mem.- material thereof, 'is accommodated within the bers, that the material 4of said mats or pads is spaces provided by the depressions betweenthe adapted to be readily displaced to permit distorelevations of the mat.

tion thereof under compression to provide the re- A still further object of the invention is to prol5 quired resilient action. vide a shock absorbing mechanism for railway 1I Another object of the invention is to provide a draft riggings including two cushioning elements mechanism as set forth in the preceding ,paraarranged to be compressed in tandem, wherein graph wherein the spacing members are made of each cushioning element is composed of a pluspring material and are adapted to be exed durrality of metal plate members arranged in series,

ing compression of the mechanism, thereby augand rubber shock absorbing material interposed 20 inenting the shock absorbing capacity provided between adjacent plate members, certain of lsaid by the vrubber mats or pads. 1 plate members of the mechanism also forming A further object of the invention is to provide shock absorbing members, the same being of f a shock absorbing mechanism including cushionspring material and arranged to ex under coming means composed of a plurality of metal plate pression. 25' members arranged in series and rubber cushion- Other objects of the invention will more clearly ing 4material interposed between adjacent plate appear from the description and claims hereinmembers, compressible therebetween', wherein alafter following. l ternate plate members are of spring material In the drawings forming a part of this specificaadapted to beI flexed during compression of the tion, Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view 30 mechanism, and the remaining. plate members through a portion of the underframe structure at act as pressure transmitting elements so formed one end of a railway car, illustrating our imas to forcibly produce flexing of the spring plate Aproved shock absorbing mechanism in connection members during operation of the mechanism. therewith, the shock absorbing mechanism being A still further objeclof the invention is to proshown in plan. Figure 2 is a horizontal longi- 35 vide amechanism as set forth in th preceding tudinal sectional view, corresponding substanparagraph wherein the rubber material between tially to the line 2--2 of Figure 3, of the improved adjacent plate members is in the form of a pad shock absorbing mechanism only. Figure 3 is a or mat within which one of said adjacent plate vertical sectional view, corresponding substan- 40 members is imbedded, the pad being provided with tially to thelines 3 3 and 3--3 of Figures 1 and 5. 40

a pocket to accommodate said plate member. Figure 4 is a view, similar to Figure 2, showing Still another object of the invention is to prothe mechanism fully compressed. Figure 5 is a vide a cushioning unit for shock absorbing mechtransverse vertical sectional view, corresponding anisms comprising a rubber pad or mat and a substantially to the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

metal backing plate in the form of an insert ac- In said drawings, III-I0 indicate the longitu- 45 comm'odated in a pocket in the pad, the rubber dinally extending center or draft sills of a railmatlial forming the Walls 0f Said DOCket havingway car underframe structure having the .usual Shiftable Contact With the Plate. thereby pel'- top and bottom flanges, the anges at the botmitting suicient freedom of movement of the tom of the sills only being shown in Figure 1. On

contacting material of the pad with`respect' to the inner sides the sills are provided with front 50 the surfaces of the plate to accommodate disand rear stop lugs lI-ll and I2-I2 commonly placement or flow of the material of said pad employed in railway draft riggings The rear end due to distortion of the same under compression portion of the usual coupler shank is indicated by forces. I3, to which is operatively connecteda yoke I4 of Yet m0171101' Object nf the invention is to prolwell-known construction. Oui` improved shock 55 absorbing mechanism andl cooperating front and l 'rear followers I5 and I6 are disposed within the yoke, the followers I5 and I6 cooperating respectively with the front and rear stop lugs II-II and I 2-I2 in the usual manner. A saddle plate I1 secured to the bottom flanges of the sills I II-I 0 underlies the yoke I4 and supports the latter and the parts contained therein. The sills Ill-Ill are further povided with guides I8-I 8 secured to the inner sides thereof, which maintain the shock absorbing mechanism centered between said sills. Our improved shock absorbing mechanism is disposed within the yoke I4 between the front and rear followers l5 land I6 and comprises broadly front and rear casings A and B, intermediate followers CC, and front and rear cushioning elements D and E.

The casings A and B, which are preferably in the form of castings, are of substantially identical design but are reversely arranged end for end. Each casing is of substantially rectangular cross section having spaced horizontally extending top and bottom walls I9 and 20 and spaced vertical side walls 2I-2I. The outer ends of the casings are open, as shown, and bear respectively on the front and rear followers I5 and I6. Each casing is also open at the opposite end. The interior of each casing is of rectangular cross section and provides a pocket in which the corresponding cushioning element D or E is accommodated. At its inner end, that is, the end remote from the main follower on which it bears, each casing is cut away or recessed at diagonally opposite top and bottom corners, as shown most clearly in Figure 5, providing a pair of longitudinally extending top and bottom arms 22-22 at the inner end f the casing. As shown in Figure 5, the out away portions include slightly more than half of the horizontal and vertical walls of the casing. Each arml which includes part of two adjacent walls of the casing is of angular cross section. The transverse walls of the cut away portions between the arms 22-22 provide stop shoulders 23-23. As hereinbefore pointed out, the two casings are reversely arranged end for end, that is, with the arms 22-22 of one casing projecting inwardly toward the other casing and slidingly engaged within the openings between the arms 22-22 of the other casing.

The two intermediate followers C--C are of like construction, each being in the form of a relatively heavy, substantially rectangular plate having lugs or extensions 24-24 at diagonally opposite corners extending along the adjacent side edges of said follower and slidably fitting in the openingsl between the arms 22-22 of one of the casings and adapted to abut the outer ends of the arms of the other casing. The portion of the main body of the follower located between the lugs 24-24 thereof is of rectangular outline and of such a size as to slidingly t within the corresponding casing. The front intermediate follower C is engaged by the arms 22-22 of the rear casing B while the rear intermediate follower C is engaged by the arms 22-22 of the front casing A.

The two cushioning elements D and E are disposed respectively within the casings A and B between the main follower l and the front intermediate follower C and the main follower I6and the rear intermediate follower C. Each cushioning element D and E comprises a gang of units arranged in series. The units of the element E are all of similar design. Each unit of the last named element comprises a metal spacing plate 25, a rubber cushioning member or pad 26, and a metal backing plate or insert 21 in the rubber pad. The spacing plate 25 is of -rectangular out-- line and has right angular. flanges 28-28 at opposite ends thereof for a purpose hereinafter described. The flanged plates 25-25 are disposed transversely in the casing B with the flanges adjacent the side walls 2I--2I of said casing. These plates are of such a size that slight clearance is provided between the casing walls and the top, bottom and sides of the plates, so that the latter will move freely lengthwise in the casing without any danger of binding.

The rubber pad 26, which is broadly of rectangular outline is seated on the corresponding plate 25 between the flanges 28--28 thereof and is held against lateral displacement by said flanges. Each pad is provided with a central pocket 29 opening through the top and bottom of said pad. This pocket 29 serves to accommodate' the backing plate 2l which is of substant'ially rectangular outline and snugly fits said pocket. As will be evident, the pad 26 thus forms, in eiect, a rubber band surrounding the plate 2l. Each pad 26 is provided with'four vertically extending, spaced ribs 30-30 projecting from the front and rear sides thereof. The corners of the ribs 30-30 are slightly rounded, and the base portions of said ribs where they merge with the body portion of the pad are laterally enlarged, the ribs being of tapered cross section. 'I'he material of the pad and ribs 30-30, where the latter merge with the main body portion of the pad, is also rounded off at opposite sides of each rib. As will be clear upon reference to Figure 2, the ribs at opposite sides of the pad are in alignment. Each pad 26 also has the opposite side ends thereof rounded off, as indicated at 3I-3I, said rounded off portions bearing respectively on the inner sides of the flanges 28-28 of the corresponding plate 25.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the casing B is shown as provided with four cushioning units, however, it will be evident that a greater or lesser number may be employed.

With the exception of the front unit of the cushioning element E, each unit thereof has the ribs 30-30, which are located at the forward side of the pad 26, bearing on the rear face of the spacing plate 25 of the adjacent unit. As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the ribs 30-30 of the pad 26 of the front unit bea'r vdirectly on the rear intermediate follower C, and the spacing plate 25 of the rearmost unit is positioned to bear on the rear follower I6.

The cushioning element D comprises front and rear similar units, and an intermediate unit. The front and rear units are of identical design but reversely arranged. Each of these units includes aspacing plate identical with the plate 25 of the units of the cushioning ^element E, hereinbefore described. Each of these units also includes a rubber pad 32 having a. pocket 33 in which a backing plate 34 is seated. The backing plate 34 is of rectangular outline and has one face thereof outwardly curved orconvex and the other face thereof at. The convex `face is indicated by 35. With the exception that the pocket 33 is adapted to accommodate a plate having one side thereof convex and the other side flat, the pad 32 is identical with the pad 26, hereinbefore described. The ribs on the front and rear sides of the pad 32 are also indicated by SII- 30. As

hereinbefore stated, the front and rear pads of l 2,165,383 the cushioning element D are reverselyfarranged,y

thatis, the front unit has the spacing plate 25 'at the front thereof and the convex side of the backing plate facing rearwardly, while the rear unit has the spacing plate 25 at the rear end l main follower I and the front intermediate follower C.

The intermediate unit of the cushioning element D comprises a rubber` pad 36, spring plates 31-31, and a backing plate 38. The pad 36 has a pocket 33. in which the plate 38 is accommo- ..dated. The backing plate 38 is-of rectangular outline and has the front and rear faces thereof inwardly curved transversely of the mechanism, thus presenting front and rear concave surfaces which arev complementary to the convex surfaces of the front and rear backing plates 3I-3L rubber pad 36 is in the form oi!A a band and is `otherwise similar to the pads 26 and 32 hereinbefore described, with the exception that the opposite sides of the pad are nat instead of rounded, and the pocket 33 is made suiliciently large to accommodatethe convexly faced plate.

38. The spring plates 31-31 are of similar design but reversely arranged. Each plate 31 comprises a substantially rectangular body. portion having a laterally projecting right angular flangev "at one end thereof. These plates are interposed between the front and rear units andA the intermediate unit of the cushioning element and bear respectively on the front and rear sidesof the pad 36. The front plate 31 has the flange 4I) thereof directed rearwardly in overhanging re- G lation to the corresponding side end of the pad 36, and the rear plate 31 has the flange 40 thereof directed forwardly in' overhanging relation to the sorbing mechanism, the same is compressed between the front and rear followers .I5 and I6 of the draft rigging as these' followers are moved relatively toward each other in either hun or draft. In a bufling action, the coupler` forces the front follower I5 inwardly, compressing the mechanism against the rear follower I6 which at that time is held stationary by the rear stop lugs I2-I2. Indraft action the yoke is pulled outwardly by' the coupler, carrying the rear. follower I6 therewith, and the mechanism is compressed against the front follower I6 which at this time is held stationary by the front stop lugs II-I I.

The operation of the improved shock absorbing mechanismr is as follows: As the front follower I5 moves rearwardly in b'uif, the front casing A is forced rearwardly therewith and the rear intermediate follower C is also forced to move rearwardly by the arms 22-22 of the front casing. which arms are in engagementwith said intermediate follower. The cushioning elements D and. E of the front and rear casings A and B are thus compressed respectively between the front follower I5 and the front intermediate fol'- lower C, which at this time is stationary, and the rear Ifollower I6 andthe rear intermediate follower C, the front intermediate follower being heldragainst rearward .movement by the abutv The ting arms 22-22 of the casing B, which casing is held stationary bythe rear follower I6 on -which it bears. In draft the operation is reversed, the rear casing being moved forward byA the rear follower I6 and the front casing being held stationary by the front follower I5, the front intermediate follower C, which moves with the casing B, compressing the front cushioning element against the front follower I5, and the rear follower I6 compressing the rear cushioning element against the rear intermediate follower C, which at this time is held stationary by the arms 22-.22 of the front casing A.

As the cushioning elements D and E are com pressedvbetween the corresponding main and intermediate followers, as the parts approach the position shown in Figure 4, the rubber pads 26-26 of the cushioning element E are compressed or4 flattened out between the metal spacing plates 25-25 and the backingplates 21-21, andthe rubber pads 32-32 and 36 of the cushioning element D are compressed between the spaced plates 25--25, backing plates 34-34, and 38, and spring plates 31-31, thereby distorting the parts by depressing the ribs 30-30 thereof and forcing the material of said ribs and body portions of said pads to be displaced or flow into the spaces between said ribs. The compression of the rubber pads' thus serves to absorb the shocks. Shock absorbing capacity in addition to that provided by the rubber pads is produced by the spring plates 31--31 of the uni't D, these plates being flexed during ,compre on of the mechanism from the straight condition hown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 to the curved condition shown in Figure 4. This flexing of the plates is produced by the compres,

sion between the convex and concavely faced backing plates 34-34 and 38 of said unit.

As it is well known that rubber is substantially Y incompressible, the material of the ribs 30-30 must be displaced during compression of the pads, causing the material of each pad to flow, thereby effecting distortion of the `pad as hereinbefore pointed out. Full compression of the mechanism is shown in Figure 4 and the compression thereof is limited by engagement of the intermediate followers C-C with the limiting stop shoulders 23-23 ofthe front and rear casings A and B, whereby the casings A and B, together with the -intermedate followers C-C act as a solid column to transmit the pressure from one main follower to the other, thus preventing undue compression of the rubber pads.

When the actuating force is reduced,.after com'- pression of the mechanism in either buff or draft, the tendency of the distorted rubber pads to return to their normal shape and the spring plates to return to their unilexed vcondition causes the cushioning elements to expand, thereby returning the parts to their normal full released position shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3.

While we have herein shown and described the front and rear cushioning elements of different character, it will be evident that it is within the invention to employ similar cushioning elements in both the front and rear casings, that is, provide both of the casings A and B with cushioning elements corresponding to the element E or both of the same with cushioning elements correspondingto the combined spring plate and rubber cushioning element D. By interchanging of such elements the-total capacity may be varied to produce different graduations of shock absorbingk resistance as desired. It is further pointed out that while the cushioning elements have herein been shown and described as employed in a tandem type of gear, the invention is not limited to such use and these cushioning elements may be employed in any other type of gear wherein compressible cushioning means is used to absorb shocks.

We have herein shown and described what we now consider the preferred manner of carrying out our invention, but the same is merely illustrative and we contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

We claim:

1. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a casing; of a gang of rubber pads in said casing, each pad having spaced projections on opposite sides thereof; a gang of spacing plates, said plates being alternated with said pads and bearing on the projections of the latter; and relatively movablefollower means at opposite ends of said cas-Eng bearing on opposite ends of said assembled pads and plates.

2. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a casing; of a gang of cushioning units in said casing arranged in series lengthwise of the casing, each unit'including a rubber pad disposed transversely of said casing, said pad having projecting ribs on opposite sides thereof; and transversely disposed metal plates alternated with said pads7 and having bearing engagement with the ribs thereof.

3. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination witha casing; of a gang of .cushioning units in said casing arranged in series lengthwise of the casing, each unit including a rubber pad disposed transversely of the casing and a transversely disposed, metal backing plate inserted in said pad; and transversely disposed plates alternated with said pads. l

4. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a casing; of a gang of cushioning units in saidcasing arranged in series lengthwise of said casing, each unit including a transversely disposed rubber pad having a transversely disposed, platelike, metal insert therein, said 'paid having spaced projecting ribs on opposite sides thereof; and spacing plates between said pads, said spacing plates being transversely disposed and bearing on the rigs of said pads.

5. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a casing; of a gang of cushioning units in said casing, each unit including a spacing plate, a transversely disposed metal backing plate, and rubber cushioning means at the front and rear sides of said backing plate and bearing thereon, said rubber cushioning means having spaced outward projections on the front and rear surfaces thereof, and said spacing plates being interposed between the rubber cushioning means of adjacent units and bearing on said projections.

6. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the com-A bination with a casing; of a gang of cushioning rubber cushioning means and spring plates are compressed to iiex said spring plates.

7. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a casing; of a pair of transversely disposed front and rear backing plates in said casing, the back face of the front plate and the front face of the rear plate being curved; a transversely disposed backing plate interposed between said rst named plates and having its front and rear faces complementarily curved respectively to said curved rear and front faces of the front and rear backing plates; transversely disposed rubber cushioning means at the front and rear sides of each backing plate; and transversely disposed spring plates interposed between adjacent faces of said rubber cushioning means.

8. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a casing; of a gang of cushioning units in said casing, each unit including a rubber pad having a metal, platelike insert provided with a curved surface, said rubber pad of said unit having ribs on the front and rear sides thereof; and spring plates interposed between the rubber pads of adjacent units in engaging relation with said ribs of the pads.

9. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a casing; of follower members at opposite ends of the casing, said follower members being relatively movable toward and away from each other; and a cushioning element within said casing interposed between said followers, said cushioning element including a plurality of rubber pads and spring plates alternated with said pads, each pad having a platelike metalI insert therein, adjacent inserts having their opposed faces curved inwardly and outwardly ,respectively. l

10. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with front and rear relatively movable-casings; of follower means at the front and rear ends of each casing, lsaid follower means at the front end of the rear casing being movable in unison with said front casingand said follower means at the rear end of the front 'casing being movable in unison with said rear casing; and a cushioning element within each casing interposed between the follower means which is located at the front and rear ends thereof, each cushioning element including a rubber pad having projections on the front and rearsides, a metal plate on which said pad is seated with the projections thereof bearing on said plate, and a metal backing plate within each pad.

11. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with front and rear relatively movable casings; of follower means at the front and rear ends of each casing, said follower means at the front end of the rear casing being movable in unison with said front casing and said follower means at the rear end of the front -casing being movable in unison with said rear casing; and a cushioning element within each casing interposed between the follower means which is located at the front and rear ends thereof, the cushioning element of one of said casings including rubber pads having projections on the front and rear sides, metal spring plates, each spring plate being interposed between adjacent pads and having its front and rear faces bearing on the projections of the adjacent pads, and metal backing plates, one of said plates being disposed within each of said pads, said backing plate of each pad having a curved abutment face opposed to the adjacent spring plate. and the cushioning element oi?v the other casing including rubber pads having projections on the front and rear sides, metal plates which said pads are seated with the projections thereof bearing on said plates, and metal backing plates, one of said backing plates being disposed within each of said pads.

12. A cushioning element for shock absorbing mechanismsincluding a gang of unitsarranged in series, each unit comprising a metal plate, a rubber pad having spaced ribs projecting therefrom and seated on said metal plate, and a metal backing plate inserted in each pad- 13. A cushioning element for shock absorbing mechanisms including a plurality of resilient members, each comprising a rubber platehaving a plurality of spaced riblike projections of rubber thereon, and a backing plate insert therein, and

a plurality of metal plates alternated with said resilient members.

14. A cushioning element for shock absorbing mechanisms comprising a gang of resilient members alternated with resilient spring plates, each resilient member comprising a backing plate and a rubber pad surrounding said backing plate, said v pad having spaced riblike projections on opposite sides thereof adapted to bear on the adjacent spring plates. i

15. A cushioning element for shock absorbing mechanisms including a plurality of vmembers arranged in series, and spring plates alternated with said members, each member including a metal plate surrounded by a rubber cushion in the form of a band having exterior spaced projections thereon.

' GEORGE A. JOHNSON.

EDWARD H. LEHMAN. 

